Love this club

Merritt Paulson, owner of MLS expansion franchise Portland Timbers, says the vibe in the area is a lot different to what Seattle are experiencing with the Sounders.

Paulson is of firm belief that the people of Portland may be more organic in their love for the game than the marching bands and confetti-throwing people of Seattle but admits the crowds will certainly be smaller although more intimate.

"I think the atmosphere is unique," Paulson said in an interview with Sportspress Northwest.

"It is very distinctive to Portland. I think what Seattle has done is terrific. But it's a very different atmosphere here. This is like going to a game in England or Argentina - that it's a sophisticated, passionate fan base.

"You're not going to see marching bands and confetti here. It's more do-it-yourself here. The different nature of the two groups: you don't want to say Seattle is manufactured because that's disingenuous. It's just a different vibe here. I think it's going to be a little bit louder and more intense here. It's smaller here. We ain't ever going to have 30,000 season ticket holders."

He also made his goals clear for the Timbers' debut MLS season in 2011.

"I want to make the playoffs and I want to beat Seattle," he added. "Those are my goals for the first year."

About the author

Andrew Slevison is an avid sports fan, particularly of the world game. The Melbourne, Australia native, who has spent time living in London and travelling South America, takes a keen interest in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer and rates his best live footballing moment as the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.